Atrium

About Atrium

Atrium is a shared place particularly prepared for the religious life of children using the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd method and curriculum. The curriculum for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd was developed by Sofia Cavalletti and her Montessori collaborator, Gianna Gobbi, in Rome in 1954. Sofia Cavalletti observed that God and the child have a unique relationship with one another, particularly before the age of 6. The growth of the relationship can be assisted by the adult and directed by the Spirit of God.

Artium offers a place for children to foster their relationship with God. In the Atrium program designed for ages 3-6, the child is capable of receiving and enjoying the most essential elements of our faith- the announcement of God’s love especially experienced through Jesus the Good Shepherd, who died and is risen. Atrium programs exist all over the world and help young children to adults develop their relationship with the Good Shepherd.

Application of Atrium at Little Lambs

At Little Lambs, we have a designated Atrium classroom where the children migrate to during the school day. Each child from the 3’s class to Pre-K attends Atrium for a 45-minute session every week. The instructor presents a specific theme in sync with the liturgical calendar or Sunday mass readings. The child is then free to choose an activity that will create possible dialogue with the “Interior Teacher.” The materials we have in our Atrium classroom are three-dimensional wooden representations of a particular scripture or items found in Baptism or Eucharist. Elements include maps of the Holy Land, a miniature Altar, and miniature environments of Biblical scenes. The prepared environment, Atrium, is a place of simplistic, Montessori-styled furniture and decor, allowing the child to calm their bodies and thoughts and enter into a deeper connection with God through tactile play. Atrium is concluded with a clean-up period and group song from the “Sing with Joy” Catechesis of the Good Shepherd music book.

For More Information

Visit the official Chatechesis of the Good Shepherd website at: https://www.cgsusa.org

Atrium Photos